MSI GE72 Apache or Dell Inspirion 15 7000 (with 6th gen i5)?

[planeace222]

Hi guys!
I own a Toshiba satellite C75D-B7230 and the fan broke on it. As a result, the heat damaged the hardware components and the laptop is even slower on startup and has major performance issues. So I have been looking for some more higher spec laptops that I can edit photos with photoshop, edit movies, and play some games like Elite: Dangerous on medium to ultra settings. I was looking at MSI and Dell.

What I expect:
Price is under 1000 dollars.
Smooth gaming and intense photo editing.
Will last 4-5 yrs.
Is somewhat portable, and somewhat light-weight (I don't mind carrying around a decently weighted laptop).
Has upgradable parts.
Has a good quality build and has good hardware components (good screen resolution, screen hinges, and doesn't feel cheap).

I found two laptops so far:

Link to MSI laptop:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GE72-i7-4720HQ-Geforce-Computer/dp/B0141IHZ9U/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1445742935&sr=1-6&keywords=msi+laptops&refinements=p_72%3A1248879011%2Cp_n_operating_system_browse-bin%3A12566246011%2Cp_n_condition-type%3A2224371011%2Cp_89%3AMSI

Link to Dell laptop:

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/inspiron-15-7559-laptop/fndopw5715h?oc=fndopw5715h&l=en

All I ask for is honest, and complete answers. I honestly don't want to go over my budget, but I am looking towards quality and performance combined. If you have any suggestions other than what is listed above that is far better than these two laptops, please do so.

Thank you!

 

[planeace222]

If you have to choose from those two you have listed there, then it is definitely the MSI GE72 Apache laptop courtesy of its higher memory and most importantly the better processor which will be crucial in the intense photo editing.
However, I still recommend that you get the MSI GE62 APACHE-276;9S7-16J212-276 15.6-Inch Gaming as seen at link here:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012AQH9AU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B012AQH9AU&linkCode=as2&tag=tomshardwarenew-20&linkId=LSQ34AQREO22IXE7 , because it has a better processor that will see it doing better in editing and rendering etc than the MSI GE72 Apache. To explain clearly, the MSI GE72 Apache has the Intel Core i7-4720HQ Quad Core Processor while the MSI GE62 APACHE-276;9S7-16J212-276 has the Intel Core i7-5700HQ 2.7-3.5GHz processor which is better.
This laptop is also right within your budget... You are good to go with option..

I see. I have never seen that laptop before, but its also a 6th gen processor if I am right? I am guessing that with the 14 NM architecture it won't run as hot so that is a pro. Is there a model with Windows 8.1, or is there a free downgrade to windows 8.1 available if you have a current version of Windows??? Elite: Dangerous can only run on Windows 7 and 8.x. Thx for the suggestion. I have never gotten an answer this quick either.

 

[planeace222]

If you have to choose from those two you have listed there, then it is definitely the MSI GE72 Apache laptop courtesy of its higher memory and most importantly the better processor which will be crucial in the intense photo editing.
However, I still recommend that you get the MSI GE62 APACHE-276;9S7-16J212-276 15.6-Inch Gaming as seen at link here:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012AQH9AU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B012AQH9AU&linkCode=as2&tag=tomshardwarenew-20&linkId=LSQ34AQREO22IXE7 , because it has a better processor that will see it doing better in editing and rendering etc than the MSI GE72 Apache. To explain clearly, the MSI GE72 Apache has the Intel Core i7-4720HQ Quad Core Processor while the MSI GE62 APACHE-276;9S7-16J212-276 has the Intel Core i7-5700HQ 2.7-3.5GHz processor which is better.
This laptop is also right within your budget... You are good to go with option..

I can't see your response

That's weird. Anyway, I was just asking if I can downgrade to windows 8.1 so that Elite dangerous is playable. I am not sure if I can get a free downgrade, or if I need to buy a new installation disk. And thanks for the quick response and the better alternative.

 

[planeace222]

If you have to choose from those two you have listed there, then it is definitely the MSI GE72 Apache laptop courtesy of its higher memory and most importantly the better processor which will be crucial in the intense photo editing.
However, I still recommend that you get the MSI GE62 APACHE-276;9S7-16J212-276 15.6-Inch Gaming as seen at link here:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012AQH9AU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B012AQH9AU&linkCode=as2&tag=tomshardwarenew-20&linkId=LSQ34AQREO22IXE7 , because it has a better processor that will see it doing better in editing and rendering etc than the MSI GE72 Apache. To explain clearly, the MSI GE72 Apache has the Intel Core i7-4720HQ Quad Core Processor while the MSI GE62 APACHE-276;9S7-16J212-276 has the Intel Core i7-5700HQ 2.7-3.5GHz processor which is better.
This laptop is also right within your budget... You are good to go with option..

I can't see your response

That's weird. Anyway, I was just asking if I can downgrade to windows 8.1 so that Elite dangerous is playable. I am not sure if I can get a free downgrade, or if I need to buy a new installation disk. And thanks for the quick response and the better alternative.

Yes you actually can downgrade from Windows 10 to 8.1... And it depends on whether the windows 10 on it was a clean installation or if it was an upgrade from 8.1... If it was that the manufacturers or sellers just upgraded it from 8.1 to 10, then you can revert back to 8.1 without a disk... If however Windows 10 was clean installed, then you will need an 8.1 disk..

And if it was just upgraded, do I just go to the Microsoft website for the downgrade? Is it a long process?

 

[planeace222]

If you have to choose from those two you have listed there, then it is definitely the MSI GE72 Apache laptop courtesy of its higher memory and most importantly the better processor which will be crucial in the intense photo editing.
However, I still recommend that you get the MSI GE62 APACHE-276;9S7-16J212-276 15.6-Inch Gaming as seen at link here:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012AQH9AU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B012AQH9AU&linkCode=as2&tag=tomshardwarenew-20&linkId=LSQ34AQREO22IXE7 , because it has a better processor that will see it doing better in editing and rendering etc than the MSI GE72 Apache. To explain clearly, the MSI GE72 Apache has the Intel Core i7-4720HQ Quad Core Processor while the MSI GE62 APACHE-276;9S7-16J212-276 has the Intel Core i7-5700HQ 2.7-3.5GHz processor which is better.
This laptop is also right within your budget... You are good to go with option..

I can't see your response

That's weird. Anyway, I was just asking if I can downgrade to windows 8.1 so that Elite dangerous is playable. I am not sure if I can get a free downgrade, or if I need to buy a new installation disk. And thanks for the quick response and the better alternative.

Yes you actually can downgrade from Windows 10 to 8.1... And it depends on whether the windows 10 on it was a clean installation or if it was an upgrade from 8.1... If it was that the manufacturers or sellers just upgraded it from 8.1 to 10, then you can revert back to 8.1 without a disk... If however Windows 10 was clean installed, then you will need an 8.1 disk..

And if it was just upgraded, do I just go to the Microsoft website for the downgrade? Is it a long process?

If it was just upgraded, then before upgrading windows would have created a backup of the previous os whether windows 7 or 8 that was on this laptop and able to go back to that stage....
To do so you, open the Start menu and select Settings. Click the “Update & security” icon and select “Recovery.” You should see a “Go back to Windows 7” or “Go back to Windows 8.1” option. Click the Get started button to get rid of your Windows 10 install and restore your previous Windows install....

And it should be very long since the system was already running on 8.1 before and had these settings saved.

Thanks for all of your help! I looked into your suggestion, and I think I will probably go with that since the screen is smaller meaning its more portable, and it has a better processor. Problem solved. Thanks again!

 

[planeace222]

I found another dell laptop with I think a better processor than the msi. I've heard msi has some poor customer support but Dell has raised their bars and have better build quality. Here is the link:

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/inspiron-15-7559-laptop/dncwpw5716h

What is the difference performance wise with the 2gb 960m and the 4gb version?